Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Abused children Services for Victoria'

Thesis (M.P.A.)--Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, 2002.
Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 45-06, page: 2955. Typescript. Abstract precedes thesis as 1 preliminary leaf. Includes bibliographical references (leaves ).

Thesis (M.A.)--Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, 1995.
Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 45-06, page: 3309. Typescript. Abstract precedes thesis as 1 preliminary leaf. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 46-51).

Children are among the most vulnerable to violence. A global problem, child victimization has been extensively studied in the context of public health research. As negative consequences of victimization are demonstrated, estimation of its prevalence and identification of its risk factors are two major concerns of researchers. Intimate partner violence (IPV), a worldwide prevalent family problem in itself, is directly or indirectly demonstrated in association with risk of different child victimizations. However, majority of previous studies on child victimization were fragmented into clusters that center on specific forms of victimization, primarily those involving conventional crime, maltreatment, peer and sibling abuse, sexual violence, and witnessing of violence. Efforts for assessing complete pattern of victimization in children emerged only in recent years. Nevertheless, this initial development that has clear research gaps is far from being enough. In such a context, the present study was conducted, in a comprehensive perspective, to uncover pattern and prevalence, and to identify risk factors of child victimization in the Chinese context. IPV was particularly examined on its relationship with child victimization. The ecological theory and family systems theory were integrated to build the conceptual research framework, a family-based ecological model comprising levels of individual, family, community, and social culture. This study adopts a quantitative approach. Questionnaire survey was successfully conducted among 953 parents of children aged 0-17 years old in Wuhan, China. The respondents were identified through a four-stage stratified sampling method. For the sake of ethical consideration and research requirement, child victimization cases were reported by the parents. The Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire (JVQ) was employed for measuring child victimization. Approximately one in two children was reported having victimization. Of these victims, the proportion of those who suffered from two or more types of victimization was as high as half; children whose parents reported IPV accounted for one-third. Through multiple logistic regression analyses, the hypothesis that prior victimization can increase the risk of other victimizations was confirmed. A series of factors in the ecological model, including IPV, were identified to have association with child victimization. All the ecological factors were further examined using a structured multiphase logistic regression analysis. The results of two regression models were compared. The factors identified to be associated with the risk of child victimization involve all four levels of the ecological model. The finding suggests that occurrence of child victimization and IPV are associated and share common risk factors in the family-based ecological system. The findings emphasize the necessity of a comprehensive screening for child victimization, and highlight cooperation between services for partners and for children. The implications also include the application of family-based ecological perspective in research, and the formulation of family-based systematic prevention policies on child victimization and related family problems. In general, the reexamination of the ecological theory with emphasis on family in this study promotes the theoretical indigenization in China. The research findings contribute to the scientific database on child victimization and provide valuable implications for policies and practice of child protection.
published_or_final_version
Social Work and Social Administration
Doctoral
Doctor of Philosophy

School counselors have a duty to formulate strategies that aid in the detection and prevention of child sexual abuse (ASCA, 2003). This may be accomplished in a number of ways, such as designing programs, providing training to teachers regarding recognizing and reporting abuse indicators, and collaborating with child protection and other mental health professionals to provide additional aftercare for sexually abused children in the school setting. Much can be learned about trauma symptomology from a clinical sample of sexually abused children. The Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (TSCC; Briere, 1996) is a 54-item self-report instrument for children and adolescents 8-16 years of age which assesses the frequency of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to traumatic events they have experienced. To understand better the trauma symptomology of children and adolescents, the author analyzed an existing data set of TSCC protocols from children who received treatment for sexual abuse from a children’s advocacy center in a metropolitan area near a large city in the southeastern United States. Although a large number of potential participants were lost to follow up (N = 54), T2 analyses revealed significant differences between the groups only on the length of time in therapy. A repeated measures analysis of variance was performed on data from children and adolescents who completed therapy (N = 31) to test whether differences on Depression and Posttraumatic Stress scale scores would exist across the course of therapy. Although no statistically significant findings emerged, implications for clinical practice and research became apparent. Specifically, differences in cutoff T-scores on TSCC scales may be more useful to clinicians for treatment and termination planning purposes than statistically significant differences. In addition, assessing clients at intervals measured by session number, rather than by length of time, may provide more generalizable results for within- and between-participants clinical and research comparisons. These implications may aid clinical and school counselors and researchers to recognize and serve the specific needs of sexually abused children in their respective settings.

This study assessed the extent to which victim families are or are not helped by the support services in Davis County, Utah. A sample of 29 mothers of sexually abused children indicated that existing intervention services were greatly underutilized and hard to locate. Seventeen of these mothers reported that they were either ignored by their caseworkers or, conversely, told not to get counseling until their case was adjudicated because of the investigator's belief that any exposure to therapy might erode the child's credibility as a witness. Only 48% of the families were informed of their Victim Rights as required by Utah state law. When asked to state how the incident impacted the family, 41% of the mothers reported that they felt they were still functioning in an elevated state of stress and tension six months or more after the disclosure of the incident. Fully 72% of the mothers reported that the child abuse disclosure had created major changes in the family system. Results of the Moos & Moos Family Environmental Subscale testing indicated that the d i stressed sample families scored significantly higher on the conflict and control subscales as hypothesized. An unexpected finding was the sample's high score on the moral religious emphasis (MRE) subscale. The MRE finding may have some influence on the process by which victim families seek help in child abuse incidents. The results of this study suggest the need for a uniform county-wide victim support and information program and improved training for professional investigators and public agencies charged with the implementation of the Victim's Bill of Rights as outlined in the Utah Code of Criminal Procedures, 77-37-1-5.

Thesis (M Social Work))--University of Stellenbosch, 2001.
277 leaves single sided printed, preliminary pages i-xv and numbered pages 1-255. Includes bibliography, list of tables and figures. Used a Hp Scanjet 8250 Scanner to pdf format(OCR).
ENGLISH ABSTRACT:The purpose of the research for this assignment was to establish and provide guidelines as well as techniques according to which social workers, who are involved in family welfare organisations, will be able not only to assess molested children in their middle childhood, but also to plan and introduce the required intervention. To achieve the aforementioned, use was made of a literature survey in terms of which all aspects of sexual molestation that need to be considered whilst handling molested children as well as the phases and processes of assessing such molestations, are discussed. Techniques are also proposed according to which such assessments could be performed. Following this study the empirical research was utilised by means of exploratory and descriptive studies. To obtain the required information, data was collected by means of a postal (mail) questionnaire containing quantitative as well as qualitative questions. This research has shown that social workers do not regard themselves as adequately equipped in handling cases involving sexually molested children. Their (social workers) knowledge and skills in terms of the areas relating to service delivery came across as being poor. The respondents agreed that the shortage of resources restricted the referral of these cases. This results in social workers having to treat such cases themselves. It is apparent that knowledge regarding the handling of molested children is mostly gained by practical experience. Assessments are often carried out without the required theoretical background. This contributes to findings and actions taken not always being scientifically substantiated, resulting in a lack of professional conduct. The study also shows that the training and conduct of social workers, especially as it relates to the assessing of sexually molested children which could lead to statutory action in terms of the Children's Status Act 82 of 1987 (as amended) as well as the Sexual Offences Act 23 of 1957, are lacking. No clear guidelines and policy are stipulated in this instance by the family welfare organisations. Based on the findings of this research the deduction is made that social workers, despite the statutory obligation they have towards a sexually molested child, do not possess the necessary skills or are not equipped with the competence required to execute the task on hand. In this regard social workers have a significant need to learn and be given the required competence, as organisations and tertiary institutions currently do not equip them adequately or effectively. Recommendations relative to the assessment of sexually molested children have been made to tertiary institutions, organisations and social workers. Opportunities for further research are also indicated.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie navorsing is om riglyne en tegnieke voor te stel waarvolgens maatskaplike werkers werksaam by gesinsorgorganisasies gemolesteerde kinders in hulle middelkinderjare kan assesseer en intervensie kan beplan. Om daarin te slaag, is 'n literatuurstudie ondemeem ten opsigte van alle aspekte van seksuele molestering wat in ag geneem moet word in die hantering van gemolesteerde kinders. Die fases en prosesse van assessering word bespreek en tegnieke word voorgestel waarvolgens die assessering gedoen kan word. Daarna is die empiriese ondersoek onderneem deur middel van 'n verkennende en beskrywende studie. Posvraelyste, bestaande uit kwantitatiewe sowel as kwalitatiewe vrae, is benut vir data-insameling. Die navorsing het getoon dat maatskaplike werkers hulleself nie bekwaam ag in die hantering van seksueel gemolesteerde kinders nie. Hulle kennis en vaardighede ten opsigte van die area van dienslewering kom swak voor. Die respondente was dit eens dat 'n tekort aan hulpbronne verwysing van die gevalle bemoeilik, wat meebring dat maatskaplike werkers die gevalle self moet hanteer. Dit is duidelik dat kennis ten opsigte van die hantering van gemolesteerde kinders meestal deur middel van praktykervaring verkry word. Assessering word dikwels sonder die nodige teoretiese agtergrond uitgevoer wat meebring dat bevindinge en optrede nie altyd wetenskaplik verklaarbaar is nie en daartoe lei dat daar 'n tekort aan professionele optrede is. Die navorsing toon voorts dat maatskaplike werkers se opleiding en optrede ten opsigte van die assessering van seksueel gemolesteerde kinders vir statutere optrede ingevolge die Wet op Kindersorg (Wet 74 van 1983 soos gewysig) sowel as die Wet op Seksuele Misdrywe (Wet 23 van 1957) veral tekort skiet. Geen duidelike riglyne en beleid word in die verband deur gesinsorgorganisasies neergelê nie. Na aanleiding van die bevindinge word die gevolgtrekking gemaak dat maatskaplike werkers, ten spyte daarvan dat hulle 'n statutêre verpligting teenoor die seksueel gemolesteerde kind het, nie oor die nodige bevoegdheid beskik om die taak uit te voer nie. Maatskaplike werkers toon 'n groot leerbehoefte in die verband, aangesien gesinsorgorganisasies en opleidingsinstellings hulle tans nie genoegsaam toerus nie. Aanbevelings ten opsigte van die assessering van seksueel gemolesteerde kinders word aan opleidingsinstansies, gesinsorgorganisasies en maatskaplike werkers gemaak. Moontlikhede vir verdere navorsing word ook vermeld.

This thesis describes an evaluation of Sexual Assault in Families Inc., Perth, Western Australia (the SAIF programme) which offers therapy and counselling to families where one or more of the children have been sexually abused by one of the family members. The purpose of the study was to demonstrate the use of a triangulated qualitative research methodology in order to determine whether the programme is achieving its objectives in terms of service delivery. It adopted a phenomenological approach in which participants were acknowledged as expert informants who were capable of identifying valued aspects of the programme. The participants were twelve families who had completed the 12 month SAIF therapy programme and who had reunited or were in the process of reunification. The paper describes the families' perceptions and experiences of having Participated in the programme, what changes had occurred as a result of the process, and whether there was evidence that the abuse bad stopped. Levels of family cohesion and adaptability were also measured using the FACES III (Family Adaptability & Cohesion Evaluation Scale). A content analysis procedure identified emergent themes of safety, communication, trust, victim empathy, group Support and self-awareness for each of the three groups of participants, which were then compared to the findings of the FACES III questionnaire.

An estimated 800,000 Canadian children are exposed to domestic violence in their homes every year. Families experiencing domestic violence use various community and government agencies along with the criminal and civil court systems. Unfortunately, collaboration between these agencies and the courts is described by professionals in Montreal as being problematic and strained. Elsewhere in Canada and the United States, some cities and communities have made progress in working through the complex obstacles inherent in the coordination of services in the area of domestic violence. This thesis will examine 14 inter-agency programs and coordinated models of intervention that have been initiated outside the province of Quebec to respond to the needs of children exposed to domestic violence. The history of these programs, their objectives and along with coordination mechanisms will be examined. A discussion regarding the implications of these findings for practice in regards to coordination of services in Montreal will also be presented.

Thesis (M Social Work (Social Work))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.
This research concentrates on the development of guidelines for the social worker who works with the sexual abused adolescent that is involved in the court. The research was executed according to the quantitative descriptive design. The first part (Chapter 2, 3 & 4) focus on the problem analysis and information gathering linked to the development of a theoretical stage for the develop of guidelines. Adolescence as developmental stage is discussed and suggestions are made as to how this information can be used by the social worker during the preparation of the child that is involved in the court. Different forms and consequences of sexual abuse are discussed. The law system and testimony are discussed as well as the process and problems that occur in the law system. The second part of the research (Chapter 5 & 6) is related to conducting of a pilot study and the results of the empirical research are presented (A questionnaire was handed to twenty respondents). The focus is on the problems and needs of the sexually abused adolescent. The study concludes with conclusions and recommendations. Recommendations for the social worker as well as the court system that work on a daily basis with sexually abused children have been outlined. These recommendations can be used as a support for effective service delivery.

The increasing number of children who have reentered foster care is a pervasive problem today. The present study examined the recovery of substance-dependent parents and the length of time between reunification and a maltreatment recurrence event.

This positivist research project will attempt to show a correlation between levels of child neglect and proportionate levels of methamphetamine abuse. The term abuse will be used to refer to the chronic, compulsive use of methamphetamine in such a manner, that it will assume a central and negative role in the individual's life style and will result in impaired functioning and parenting.

The current study investigated characteristics and case variables of sexually abused male children, and how those variables affect the outcome of cases investigated by Child Protective Services. Data was obtained from the RIverside County Department of Social Services, Child Welfare System/Case Management System. It was found that the largest percentages of perpetrators were the siblings of the victims.

The co-occurrence of domestic violence (DV) and child maltreatment is high. Response to both problems has historically been via two different systems. However, child protection workers are increasingly asked to respond to this co-occurrence since research has identified that exposure to DV can negatively impact on children and that child maltreatment often co-occurs with DV. This study looks at child protection systems response to families affected by DV by using two research methods. First, a systematic review was conducted using research papers focusing on child protection workers response to families experiencing DV. Second, a critical discourse analysis of current Australian child protection policies was conducted. Findings from the systematic review show that child protection workers' response to abused mothers went from treating them as 'mad' in the 1980s, to labelling them 'failure to protect' in the 1990s and early 2000. These findings showed continued focus on abused mothers rather than on perpetrators of DV. Some contradictions were found around child removal data. However, important links were found between re-notification of children and subsequent removal. Findings from the Australian policy analysis revealed that most policies referred to DV as a child protection issue and used a feminist definition of DV. However, not all states had detailed guidelines on how to intervene safely and effectively with families affected by DV. Discussions and recommendations focus around the pressing need for more DV expertise within child protection systems. It also discusses the issue of responsibility placed on abused mothers while perpetrators of DV remain invisible. Finally, it discusses the response to children exposed to DV compared to the response to children exposed to DV who are also victim of direct child maltreatment. The key recommendations of this study are to have DV expertise within the child protection systems, to empower abused mothers rather than blaming them, which implies putting the responsibility back on the perpetrator of DV and to have resources and systems in place before responding to child exposure to DV as child maltreatment per se.

The co-occurrence of domestic violence (DV) and child maltreatment is high. Response to both problems has historically been via two different systems. However, child protection workers are increasingly asked to respond to this co-occurrence since research has identified that exposure to DV can negatively impact on children and that child maltreatment often co-occurs with DV. This study looks at child protection systems response to families affected by DV by using two research methods. First, a systematic review was conducted using research papers focusing on child protection workers response to families experiencing DV. Second, a critical discourse analysis of current Australian child protection policies was conducted. Findings from the systematic review show that child protection workers' response to abused mothers went from treating them as 'mad' in the 1980s, to labelling them 'failure to protect' in the 1990s and early 2000. These findings showed continued focus on abused mothers rather than on perpetrators of DV. Some contradictions were found around child removal data. However, important links were found between re-notification of children and subsequent removal. Findings from the Australian policy analysis revealed that most policies referred to DV as a child protection issue and used a feminist definition of DV. However, not all states had detailed guidelines on how to intervene safely and effectively with families affected by DV. Discussions and recommendations focus around the pressing need for more DV expertise within child protection systems. It also discusses the issue of responsibility placed on abused mothers while perpetrators of DV remain invisible. Finally, it discusses the response to children exposed to DV compared to the response to children exposed to DV who are also victim of direct child maltreatment. The key recommendations of this study are to have DV expertise within the child protection systems, to empower abused mothers rather than blaming them, which implies putting the responsibility back on the perpetrator of DV and to have resources and systems in place before responding to child exposure to DV as child maltreatment per se.

This study was designed to differentiate the significant demographic and familial factors found in families when reunification is successful versus when reunification fails in cases of child removal due to physical abuse and domestic violence. The purpose of this study was to identify which, if any of these factors, lead to successful reunification. Content analysis of adjudicated cases of child abuse in San Bernardino County was used to transform qualitative information into quantitative data.

The purpose of the study was to look at whether domestic violence is being viewed as a risk factor in homes where there is also physical child abuse. Historically a misconception has existed that child abuse occurs in a vacuum of sorts, isolated from other family problems.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) represent children's best interests in juvenile court proceedings. In Riverside County, conflict exists among the child advocates and children's social service workers. This study measures current attitudes and perception of social workers and CASA volunteers in a quest to gain awareness and understanding of any problems in communication that may hinder effective working relationships.

The field of child abuse and neglect contains a corpus of literature regarding teachers and child abuse and neglect. The literature, dominated by medical and scientific discourses, constructs the teacher's role, shapes what teachers should know, and influences policies and practices in care and education settings, and in the field of child protection. This thesis addresses a gap in this literature, particularly regarding authentic documentation of how teachers work in child abuse and neglect and what knowledge they apply in this work. This study is a multimethod qualitative inquiry into teachers' work and knowledge in child abuse and neglect. The research was conducted in three phases. In phase one, early childhood teachers were invited to participate in research about their experiences of working with children with a history of abuse or neglect. Teachers from 207 different early childhood settings, in a geographical area with a recognised high incidence of child abuse and neglect were approached. No teachers were willing or able to participate in the research - they were silent. Phase two investigated the reasons for this silence by using interview and survey methods to ask the teachers and other professionals in the field, to explain why the teachers were silent. Fourteen key informants and 80 early childhood teachers' views are presented in this phase. Phase three returned the focus of the study to teachers' work and knowledge, and presents the voices of eight early childhood teachers who were willing and able to speak in detail about their work and knowledge in child abuse and neglect when they were approached from within common professional networks, in which there were established relationships of trust. Paradoxically, in this study there was silence and there were voices. Using critical theories, this study reveals that research into child abuse and neglect was problematic because it was perceived to be sensitive and potentially damaging. The research was disenabled (silenced) in ways which protect existing relations of power which, in turn, benefit from both the conservation of silences about child abuse and neglect among early childhood practitioners, and maintenance of the conditions under which this silence was produced. When the teachers spoke about their work and knowledge, it appeared that their actions in relation to child abuse and neglect did not accord directly with the role that the literature ascribes for them, but reflected the broader characteristics of effective early childhood teaching practice. Early childhood teachers' work, therefore, may not be recognised easily by those outside care and education as constituting legitimate prevention and intervention in child abuse and neglect, and this has consequences for how early childhood practitioners are perceived in the field. This research explains teachers' apparent marginal positioning in the field of child abuse and neglect. It proposes that a more accurate representation of teachers' work in the field should reflect the concept of multiple roles rather than a singular role. This research refutes notions of teachers as incompetent and unknowledgeable regarding child abuse and neglect, but recognises that they are often absent from, and invisible within, the collective of professionals working to stop and prevent it.

Otitis media and consequent hearing loss are known to be high in Koori communities. Previous research on otitis media in Koori communities has focused on its identification, treatment and management. Little research has focused on the prevention of otitis media. Victorian Aboriginal communities often have small populations which result in small sample sizes for research projects. Consequently use of traditional quantitative methods to measure of change arising from health interventions can be problematic. The aim of the research was to describe Koori children’s otitis media risk factors using a Koori research method in order to develop, implement and evaluate preventative interventions.

The aim of the study was to explore and describe the experiences of children who have been raped. It is a known fact that children are raped every day in South Africa, but how the consequences are experienced by the child victims of rape is another matter. Specifically, the researcher wanted to determine whether these children receive the support that is their constitutional right and whether or not they are subjected tc secondary victimization. The sampling strategy employed was purposive sampling. This type of sampling wai selected, as the researcher was looking for a particular type of participant, that is, children who had disclosed rape. The sample consisted of six female children between the ages of 5 and 17years. Participants' parents were consulted for their consent at c counseling centre for abused children in Durban, where participants attended group counseling and individual sessions. The data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews and analyzed usin^ thematic analysis. Unstructured interviews were tape recorded and transcribed. Thesi transcriptions were coded for descriptive themes and were analyzed using thematic conten analysis. The research findings suggest that children have mixed views regarding the quality of the help they receive; some had positive experiences and some had negative experiences. Despite the fact that most participants experienced a sense of being interrogated and had feelings of being not involved during discussions, two participants reported that although rape is an atrocious experience there were positive consequences for them. For example, getting attention from significant people in their lives was one of their positive experiences. It was the experience of the researcher that there is a lack of research pertaining to the experiences of children who are rape victims, especially research focusing on the quality of support that rape victims ought to receive. Further research is recommended to clarify and measure the prevalence of typical feelings and experiences of children who have been raped
Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2007.

Despite high prevalence rates for rape in South Africa, little focus has been placed on the rape of children, and even less on the secondary victimization of child rape survivors. Such secondary victimization may manifest in two forms, namely, negative attitudes and behaviours and the non-provision of essential services. This study aimed to explore secondary victimization in child rape as a result of the non-provision of counselling and social work services, to a sample of 200 child rape survivors, who presented for medico-legal assessment at a state hospital in the North Durban area (KwaZulu Natal, South Africa). Data analysis revealed that only 48.5% of the sample did in fact receive such services. In the majority of cases (20%), services were only provided between 2-7 days after the child had presented for medical evaluation. In addition, the study found that in most cases, service provision was limited to a single intake interview. Service provision was found to be less likely in cases where respondents resided in homesteads (informal or ‘traditional’ housing) that had no street address, or where the child presented at the study hospital outside of normal working hours. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for secondary victimization and secondary prevention programming.
Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.

This study explored Childline Zimbabwe’s provision of psychosocial support to sexually abused children. This was done by reviewing counsellors’ practices regarding face-to-face counselling, counselling approaches, referrals, follow-ups, case recording and through measuring client satisfaction levels. A qualitative case study approach was adopted with mixed methods to collect data from counsellors and clients. Data analysis was informed by grounded theory and followed an inductive process of coding and categorising the data into relevant themes. The outcomes of this study showed that referral of clients represents a major strategy of addressing child sexual abuse cases. The engagement of clients in face-to-face counselling stages however remained limited due to difficult work environments and challenges related to individual counsellors’ capacities. This posed questions about Childline’s role as a counselling or referral organisation. This study contributes to counselling of sexually abused children with information over the counselling interventions necessary in addressing survivors of sexual abuse.
Psychology
M.A. (Psychology)

This study set out to explore Malaysian professionals’ experiences of working with sexually abused children. Although the international literature on professionals’ experiences of sexually abused children is considerable, Malaysian research is sparse. The current study sought to redress this imbalance by conducting a qualitative study, informed by a grounded theory approach to investigate how working with sexually abused children affects the lives of professionals both professionally and personally; the strategies, including coping strategies, professionals used to overcome the difficulties associated with their work and whether any characteristics of the Malaysian sociocultural context contributed to the difficulties they encountered. In depth semi structured interviews were conducted with 21 participants representing a range of professions, all of whom had experience of working with child sexual abuse victims.

Child abuse in South Africa is considered one of the foremost challenges the country is currently facing, and is believed to hold long-term consequences for adults if not adequately addressed in the childhood years. In order to meet the needs of abused children in the country, various Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have targeted abused children as the primary beneficiaries for services, and these NGOs rely a great deal on the contributions from formal volunteers. While there is an expansive body of literature on formal volunteering in general, limited research explores target-specific volunteering, especially among children or abused children in particular. Furthermore, the literature on volunteering has not extensively examined the meaning-making process volunteers engage in when seeking an organisation or cause for their target-specific volunteering. The process of making meaning of volunteering is additionally influenced by a complex set of negotiations between individual and broader socio-political factors. In order to expand the current literature on volunteering, this research aimed to explore the meanings volunteers make of their target-specific volunteering in the child abuse services sector in Johannesburg, and to explore how those meanings could potentially be influenced by the dynamics of socio-political realms. This research was located within the interpretive paradigm, and data collection comprised of qualitative semi-structured interviews conducted with six volunteers from the Teddy Bear Clinic for Abused Children. The interview transcripts were analysed using Thematic Analysis (TA), where four primary themes emerged. The four primary themes, namely transformation, prioritisation of children, prioritisation of sexual abuse and vocation, were examined for their resonance with critical theories of governing ‘healthy’ populations. The limitations of this research related primarily to issues of scope and sample, both of which guided the recommendations for future research in this area.

M.A. (Sociology)
South Africa's child protection system is widely reported to be in disarray, delivering deficient and fragmented services, which facilitate the occurrence of 'secondary abuse, compounded by the lack of information on the prevailing scenario in the country. This research study formed part of a national development project, aimed at investigating and improving the delivery of integrated child protection services. The study focused on the current levels of service delivery and the need for services integration in a multi-disciplinary, intersectoral system. Employing a multi-methodology Intervention Research strategy, the conceptual framework for the investigation was based on an open systems perspective. The research findings, generated by a national situation analysis of provincial and sectoral service providers, confirmed the interrelated prevalence of both inefficient service delivery levels and the urgent need for the integration of services. The results facilitated the drafting of provincial strategies, aimed at the improvement of service delivery and the inductive construction of a generic provincial model, while a national conference of service providers generated a proposed national integration strategy, based on a process model. The research has not only contributed towards the integration of child protection services, but also to the current transformation of the child protection system in South Africa.

The South African Justice System is a broader system that brings law and order to society. This law and order also includes the constitutional rights of the sexually abused children. A special court dealing with cases of children who are sexually abused is functioning throughout the country. The purpose of this study is to develop a framework for social workers working with children in these special courts. The problem identified is that in these courts no framework exists for social workers focusing on the guidance of the child through the processes of the Justice System. This includes the therapeutic guidance by means of brief or directive therapy. The research methodology for this study focused on developmental research by using the Intervention research model of Rothman and Thomas (1994). The phases implemented in the study were Problem analysis and project planning, information gathering and synthesis and design. Qualitative data was gathered by means of semi-structured interviews and integrated in phase two of the research report. A proto-type guideline was developed and needs to be evaluated in future research.
Social Work
M.Diac. (Play Therapy)

Good governance is the only mechanism available to provide for the basic social needs of communities within a normative and ethical paradigm. Good governance in South Africa is based on the tenets of the Batho Pele (People First) principles and practices. The primary aim of this study is to determine the factors impacting on good governance utilizing a case study of service delivery in child abuse in the eThekwini Municipal District of the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, the Bill of Rights in Chapter 2, provides for the protection of all children from abuse in South Africa. There have been several policies that were developed to realize this constitutional commitment. Despite these developments, and South Africa achieving a democratic order since 1994, the abuse of children continues to occur in the eThekwini Municipal District, in large numbers as has been revealed in this research study. This research study has illustrated that the barriers to good governance in the delivery of services to children who are abused are several. They stem from structural, strategic and operational gaps that are prevalent and that have an adverse impact on the accessibility and quality of service delivery to all communities, at the coalface. The researcher is of the believe therefore that turnarounds to address these challenges of achieving good governance practices in service delivery in child abuse, will only be met from a wide range of actions involving all spheres of government at the strategic helm and the various government and nongovernmental sectors at an operational level. The processes of governance in the delivery of services in child abuse in the eThekwini Municipal District is riddled with problems and anomalies that emanate from the barrierladen structural positioning and the ineffective leadership role of provincial strategic governance structures in so far as strategic direction in this priority area of child protection, is concerned. The outcome of any service delivery program through the processes of good governance, according to current policy mandates, is that beneficiaries of services achieve sustainable development and this could only be achieved if there is a holistic services delivered to the client system. This has not happened in service delivery in child abuse in the eThekwini Municipal District. Services were fragmented and duplication occurred as the different state sectors responsible for service delivery were in the main, operating in silos. Governance in service delivery seemed to lack direction due to the absence of an intersectoral strategic planning process. There was no strategic plan to inform operations on the ground and which it is proposed, would have facilitated child protection organizations to acquire separate budgets for resource acquisition, to facilitate and support efficient, effective, economical and sustainable service delivery. In actual fact, there were no separate budgets to fund services in child abuse by the different sectors. There were therefore very limited programs available for services to child abuse victims. There was no service delivery improvement plan for child protection which is the priority area within which services in child abuse is provided for. This according to the National Policy Framework and Strategic Plan for the Prevention and Management of Child Abuse, (2004), was supposed to be the strategic core function of the Provincial Department of Social Development. There is a clear indication that this strategic governance structure has not complied with the mandate of the Public Service Regulation, 2001 by ensuring that there was a service delivery improvement plan in place for child abuse services that was well known to service providers for the period of this study. One can then from this prevailing situation conclude, that the public service policies and legislation had not been complied with in this regard at a provincial level. This had led to the lack of leadership that existed in service delivery in child abuse at the local community level. A consequence of this shortcoming was that each state department developed its own sectoral operational plans and rendered services according to these sectoral plans that were geared to meet the sectoral need which in a manner, entrenched fragmented service delivery and had resulted in victims of child abuse being exposed to secondary abuse by service providers. The present constitutional provision is that service delivery in child abuse be managed as a national and provincial responsibility under the umbrella of child care and protection services. The Public Works Department is responsible for infrastructure development for these sectors at the local level. The study has revealed that the biggest challenge to accessibility of services in rural areas was the lack of basic infrastructure of roads, electricity, telephones and safe environments, the constitutional responsibility of which is the core function of local government. The local sphere of governance does not play a role in ensuring that structural barriers to good governance in service delivery in child abuse are included in their Intergrated Development Plans (IDP), for the simple reason that it is not a constitutional functionality of this sphere of government. There is in practice, no plan in place, to address the structural barriers to improve accessibility of services in child abuse in rural areas, due to the exclusion of local government structures in this process. This arrangement is an anomalie which exacerbates the problem of poor governance in service delivery in child abuse. The attempts of decentralizing social service delivery was not achieving the purpose of taking services to the community, as the decentralized service points were still not within reach of people because of the great distances between communities and service points. Furthermore, these services only operated in the day and not after hours when it is presumed that more abuse happens, and the employed members of communities are able to assist child victims and their support systems to seek help. The study has revealed that some best practice policies such as the KwaZulu-Natal Multidisciplinary Protocol on Child Abuse and Neglect, has come into disuse in the province. The best practice model of the Thuthuzela Care Centre, was currently being piloted in two different hospitals. Communities serviced by the two hospitals running this programme, benefitted from a multi-disciplinary service provided by intersectoral roleplayers. This program is led by the National Prosecuting Authority whose aim was to improve the conviction rate of perpetrators of abuse. It has been established that funding for this programme was obtained through international donor funding. Two very significant factors emerged in this research study with regard to policy development in child abuse, and they are worth noting. The first was a reliance on international donor funding for policy development by individual government and non-governmental sectors. This has compelled policy developers then to comply with meeting the requirements of donor agencies, instead of that of the community. There was a lack of a participative governance approach through the inclusion of the local communities in these initiatives. It does appear as though policy development in child abuse service delivery was heavily influenced by global partners in governance, instead. Secondly, while good governance policies were developed such as the KwaZulu-Natal Multi-disciplinary Protocol on Child Abuse and Neglect, its implementation was not supported nor monitored by the responsible strategic governance structure and this resulted in such policies being ineffective. The policy review process as well was not fully participative and did not promote local community input. While politicians have focused on policy development in response to an externally identified need other than that of the affected community, there has been no provision for the required resources and strategic leadership for ensuring coordinated holistic accessible service delivery. Neither has there been provision for oversight and support services to ensure that implementation happens at a community level. While the Department of Social Development is mandated to be the lead department in matters of child abuse, it seems not to have strongly positioned itself in this regard. This department assumed a weak position in so far as taking on responsibility for leading and directing services to children who are abused. There are too many different policies that are developed by the national department and handed to the province for implementation in local communities. Some of these policies address a similar aspect of service except that it comes from a different sector. This has caused a great deal of confusion on the ground as to which was the relevant policy to implement. There appears to be a rigorous attempt at policy formulation and development with very little regard to the support resources such as additional staff, equipment and the required intensity of training for key personnel. It has led to frustrations felt by intersectoral service providers at grassroots. Child abuse is a phenomenon of living and that requires crisis intervention by significant role-players at a grassroots level when it occurs. The study has revealed that important sectors who impact on the daily lives of people have been excluded from the governance processes. These structures are local government, the house of traditional affairs, business, cultural and religious organizations and the local community. The researcher proposes the utilization of the Governance Model in public administration which should be primarily community based and include all local governance structures. It therefore supports the bottom-up intersectoral approach in its modis operandi. Furthermore, service delivery should be provided from a one-stop centre under the leadership of a project manager. The model embraces ethical and normative theoretical practices within a democratic and developmental paradigm. This model repositions the strategic planning responsibility to local governance structures and proposes that the provincial structures assume a monitoring and oversight role which should be participative and which should include community representation.
Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2010.

M.Sc. (Psychology)
Increasing attention has over the past decade been directed at sexual abuse in the form of media exposure and the formation of specialised units for the protection of children's rights. In this manner the South African Police Service have, since the first Child Protection Unit was formed in 1986, established units country wide in an attempt to erradicate this phenomenon. An overwiew of the literature makes it apparent that there are lots of conflicting opinions pertaining to sexual molestation. Not only do researchers differ in their definitions of sexual molestation but also on the incidence, typology and ethiology thereof. Flowing from the diverse and far reaching consequences suffered by the victim coupled to the accompanied legal and ethical aspects, child molestation presents as an extremely complex phenomenon to fully address. The Child Protection Unit of the South African Police Service thus appears to be the most appropriate place for the handling of child molestation because of the law inforcement context thereof. The goal of the study was thus to identify the needs of this unit in an effort to help the unit achieve the highest possible standards of effectiveness. To realise this study a phenomenological investigative method was used in the form of a need assessment questionnaire which was sent to the Johannesburg and Pretoria units. Data was collected in the form of completed questionnaires and was evaluated and interpreted in a qualitative manner. Needs determined, amongst others, were for more extensive training in specialised areas as well as a need for the direct involvement of a social worker and a psychologist at the Child Protection Unit. The above mentioned needs in conjunction with other identified needs and criticism voiced by the respondents, formed the basis for the recommendations proposed at the end of this thesis.

The researcher identified in her work as a social worker that sexually abused adolescents experience difficulties with testifying in court. The goal of this research was directed at developing guidelines to assist adolescents who have to testify in court. The researcher utilised the qualitative research approach with an exploratory and descriptive nature. Semi-structured interviews were done with a sample of adolescents who have testified in court, a sample of parents or caregivers of adolescents who have testified in court and social workers working with adolescents who testify in court. These interviews were conducted to gain insight into how the research participants experienced the court process in order to formulate guidelines for adolescents who have to testify in court. The researcher concluded that adolescents experience testifying in court as negative. Guidelines were developed from the information obtained from the research participants to support adolescents who has to testify in court.
Social work
M.Diac. (Play therapy)

This study outlines the results of an evaluation of programmes through a developmental quality assurance process within shelters for abused women and their children in Gauteng Province. The survey obtained the attitudes and opinions of the social workers/social auxiliary workers and shelter managers towards their services. The study reflects empirical findings as well as strengths and developmental areas within these shelters. The results from the study indicate that shelters for abused women and their children are functioning well. However, the Minimum Standards for Shelters are not fully adhered to. Therefore, internal and external evaluations should be used by shelter managers to evaluate their own performance and to improve service delivery.
Social Work
MA(SS) (Social Work)

Childhood abuse, whether physical or sexual, is a major public health issue. The most recent United States data from Child Protective Services (CPS) show that in 2013 there were 3.5 million referrals of child maltreatment involving 6.4 million children. Out of these cases, 18% were for physical abuse and 9% were for sexual abuse. However, researchers argue that CPS data grossly underestimate the prevalence of childhood abuse as most childhood abuse goes unreported. Indeed, to date, the true prevalence of childhood abuse remains unknown as research has been hampered by inconsistent definitions of abuse and wide variation in methodologies including measures for its identification and modes of administration of these measures. Although a health care visit presents an opportunity to identify a childhood abuse history, health care providers frequently fail to ask about it. The reasons doctors give for not asking about abuse include lack of training, not knowing how to ask, and lack of familiarity with practical methods for screening that can be used in primary care settings. There is little to no research on effective means for identifying childhood abuse histories, especially in the adolescent and young adult population, or on how different modes of administration of screens to identify childhood abuse compare to each other. The net result is that most childhood physical and sexual abuse is never identified and many victims do not get the needed services to help them heal. When unaddressed, childhood abuse has negative impacts on victims’ health and wellbeing over the life course. Prior studies of adults show that when compared with non-victims of abuse, victims tend to perceive their health as poorer and utilize more health care services including emergency room and urgent outpatient care. These studies also suggest that adult victims use less routine and preventive care than non-victims. Only two studies, conducted among widely different adolescent populations, have examined how adolescent victims perceive their health. Similarly, limited evidence examining perception of health is available for young adults. These studies found that victims perceive their health as poorer than non-victims. There have been no adolescent-specific studies of how victimization impacts adolescents’ utilization of health care. One study includes participants ages 15 to 98 years and only two studies focusing on this issue in samples primarily of young adults attending college have been published. These studies found that victims utilize more health care than non-victims. Therefore, we lack a sufficient body of evidence to come to clear conclusions of how childhood abuse affects self-perceived health in adolescents and young adults. The general lack of evidence about both how childhood abuse impacts perception of health and utilization of health care in adolescents and young adults indicates a need for further study. Given that little is known about how to best identify an abuse history in adolescents and young adults and the impact of abuse on perception of health and utilization of health care, this dissertation pursued three aims: (1) to review the literature comparing modes of administration of screens to identify adolescent and young adult victims of childhood physical and sexual abuse; (2) to investigate how different modes of administration of screens to identify adolescent and young adult victims of childhood physical abuse within a primary care health setting compare to each other, and; (3) to examine the association of a history of childhood abuse (defined as none, physical only, and sexual with or without physical) with perceived health status and the health care utilization patterns among adolescents and young adults. For aim 1, a comprehensive literature review was conducted via PubMed of studies, published between January 1st, 1994 and December 31st, 2014 that compared modes of administration of screens to identify a history of childhood physical and sexual abuse in adolescents and young adults. Only one study was found. This study compared paper and pencil questionnaire, computer assisted survey, and face to face structured interview in the identification of childhood physical and sexual abuse among young adults in a college setting. No significant difference in the proportion of childhood physical abuse or childhood sexual abuse was identified by mode of administration. The identification through this search of only one study – which was conducted among college students, with no studies done among adolescents – shows a significant gap in our knowledge regarding this issue. Given that understanding how to identify childhood abuse is a critical issue, this gap is disturbing and underscores the need for studies of identification of childhood abuse to be a research priority. For aim 2, a sample of participants, ages 12-24 years, receiving health services at the Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center in New York City were randomized to one of four modes of administration to identify a history of childhood physical abuse. The four modes of administration of screens to identify childhood abuse were paper and pencil screen, Audio Computer Assisted Self Interview screen (ACASI), face to face structured screen and face to face unstructured interview. The full sample also completed measures to assess demographic characteristics and to screen for depression symptoms. Of the sample, 44.5% of the participants disclosed childhood physical abuse. There was a statistically significant difference in the proportion of childhood physical abuse identified according to mode of administration: face to face unstructured interview identified the highest proportion of childhood physical abuse victims, followed by face to face structured screen. After adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, depression, living arrangement and last grade completed, the odds of identifying physical abuse was 1.6 (95%CI: 1.0, 2.7) and 4.5 (95%CI: 2.6, 7.8) greater for face to face structured screen and for face to face unstructured interview, respectively as compared to paper and pencil screen. ACASI and paper and pencil were similar to each other but inferior to the face to face methods. For aim 3, in addition to what was measured for aim 2, the sample completed measures on a history of childhood sexual abuse and perceived health and health care utilization. The sample was then categorized into three groups: no abuse, physical abuse only, and sexual abuse with or without physical abuse. The association of childhood abuse status with perceived health and health care utilization were examined. There was no statistical significant association between a history of childhood abuse status and perceived health. However, the odds of reporting a fair/poor perception of health among those reporting childhood abuse were at least 40% lower regardless of whether the abuse was physical (OR: 0.60; 95%CI: 0.3,1.2) or sexual (OR: 0.50; 95%CI: 0.2,1.1). No significant association was found between childhood abuse status and health care utilization. However, the odds of victims reporting using urgent care only versus routine care only were at least 10% lower regardless of whether the abuse was physical (OR: 0.50; 95%CI: 0.3, 1.1) or sexual (OR: 0.90; 95%CI: 0.4,1.9). The odds of reporting using both urgent and routine care versus routine care only was similar between victims and non-victims for physical abuse (OR: 1.0; 95%CI: 0.6, 1.5) and was 30% higher for victims of sexual abuse (OR: 1.3; 95%CI: 0.8, 2.2). The findings from the three aims examined identified significant gaps in our knowledge on childhood abuse among adolescents and young adults suggesting an urgent need for further research. While much research has focused on the impact of childhood abuse on health and well-being, aim 1 reveals that little is known about which mode of administration of screens to identify childhood abuse is most effective in the identification of childhood abuse in adolescent and young adults. Furthermore, we know even less about what modes of administration of screens might be practical in primary care settings, or what must be done to improve the level of screening for childhood abuse by physicians and other health care providers. Although the findings from aim 2 suggest that face to face modes of administration are most effective in screening for childhood physical abuse in primary care settings, further studies are needed to support these findings. In addition, there is a need for studies that examine what are the best methods to use to identify childhood sexual abuse in primary care settings. The findings from aim 3 suggest that adolescents and young adults with a history of childhood physical and sexual abuse, receiving health care at the Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center, do not perceive their health as worse than non-victims nor do they appear to utilize health care differently from non-victims. These findings contrast with results from prior studies of perceived health status and health care utilization among adolescents and young adult childhood abuse victims. Understanding how abuse impacts both the perception of health and health care utilization will be crucial in the development of interventions to identify and support adolescent and young adult victims of childhood physical and sexual abuse.

It was recommended by the American Psychological Association and the American Bar Association in October 1999, that the time had come for psychologists to do more than act as expert witnesses, and that their influence should be felt " ... at the first level of intervention" (Foxhall, 2000, p. 1). The first level of intervention is considered, in this study, to be the decision-making process. This research examines the decision-making processes used by four of the disciplines integral to the child abuse multi-disciplinary team. Social workers, child protection officers of the South African Police Services, psychologists and prosecutors currently involved in the child abuse arena in South Africa were given case vignettes to anchor their decision-making on simulated examples. On the basis of these in-depth interviews, using a Grounded Theory methodology, three specific questions are addressed, namely: how decisions are made and substantiated; how they differ across disciplines; and how they compare to recommended protocol. Results indicate interesting differences across these four disciplines. The differences between the decision-making processes in the disciplines seem to be rooted in their philosophical tenets, which give rise to specific aims in addressing child abuse. Differences between the decision-making processes and recommended protocol were also noted in cases where guidelines are available. In addition differences in expected outcomes of the vignettes, use ofassumptions and a level of mistrust between professionals was shown. If this research can help to sensitise professionals to begin to understand their own decision-making processes and those of their fellow decision-makers, then perhaps key role players and policy makers may be one step closer to responding to the challenge of child sexual abuse in South Africa.
Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2002.

This dissertation is a qualitative secondary content analysis of clinical records collected for the Spokane Safe Start Project in Spokane, Washington, a program designed to offset trauma in children exposed to domestic and intimate partner violence (IPV). The Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization have identified intimate partner violence (IPV) as a health policy issue. Most studies of intimate partner violence and children exposed to violence have used samples from domestic violence shelters, large phone-based community surveys, or convenience samples such as college students. Currently, studies of families that have experienced intimate partner violence and received services in their homes do not exist. As such, the process and effects of intimate violence in families residing in their homes have not been identified. The purpose of this study was to identify the structural issues, factors affecting service engagement, family characteristics, and factors promoting resiliency in families that experienced intimate partner violence and were served by the Spokane Safe Start Project in Spokane, Washington, a program designed to offset trauma in children exposed to caregiver intimate partner violence. To this end, the four research questions were: 1) What are the underlying structural problems that affected these families? 2) Is family functioning at intake associated with the length of time with the program? 3) Of the families that engaged with Safe Start for at least five face-to-face contacts, what are the caregiver and/or family characteristics that seem to indicate the presence or absence of resilience in the caregivers? This study involved the analysis of the clinical case records of 30 families that received Spokane Safe Services. The primary source of data for this study came from the narrative portions of the electronic ACCESS and written client clinical records. The Spokane Safe Start clinical narratives served as a record of clinician observations, interactions, and service delivery to families greatly affected by intimate partner violence. Using the bio-ecological perspective and family systems theory as the theoretical frameworks to understand intimate partner violence and its effects on children, data analysis and synthesis, I used qualitative content analysis thematic analysis, and data matrices. In essence, this is a multiple case study producing "context-dependent knowledge" that is vital to develop ecologically sound interventions to address intimate partner violence and its effects on families (Flyvbjerg, 2006, p. 221). This study revealed three main findings. Families encountered roadblocks in the form of environmental and individual obstacles. These obstacles included family-of-origin dynamics, severe financial problems, and individual issues such as relationship ambivalence and substance abuse that posed serious limitations to developing resilience. Parent-child interactions were strained and difficult in most families. The majority of children experienced chronic IPV and many had a history of maltreatment as well. Although many parents were concerned about the future wellbeing of their children, they also had difficulty reflecting on their children’s emotional needs and experiences. Evidence of resilience in the case narratives was quite limited. There was evidence, one particular clinician's model of service provision was more successful at engendering resilience than that of the other clinicians. Results were triangulated with the extant literature and previous quantitative studies conducted by Washington State University on the Spokane Safe Start data indicating the results of this study are trustworthy and credible. This study makes an important contribution to the family violence literature and may serve as a resource for policy and program development.
Graduation date: 2012

This study reflects a critical analysis of the procedures followed in child rape cases in Mpumalanga Province and in the process to enhance investigative capabilities with sound detective development. Empirical research was conducted with a literature review, docket analysis and interviews as methods to obtain information where the following important aspects were addressed: an overview of the field of forensic investigation, the shortcomings with regard to child rape investigations and correct procedures for conducting child rape investigations formulated. The study found that generally rape cases were not properly investigated, correct procedures were not followed (biological/physical evidence was not readily identified nor correctly handled) and applicable directives pertaining to child rape investigations not complied with. Investigators had a narrow understanding of the concept forensic investigation. In child rape investigations it would be of more evidential value and reliable to collect physical evidence such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids and saliva as the child’s testimony at court might not be reliable, particularly when subjected to cross examination. Rape is both a contact crime as well as a psychologically motivated crime and both aspects of the trauma needs attention during the investigation process. Crimes against women and children are also a national concern, thus making child rape a priority crime for the South African Police Service. For any successful prosecution it is necessary that policy and correct procedures are not compromised but rather strictly adhered to. The Locard Principle in relation to physical evidence such as body fluids at the crime scene needs to be focussed on during the investigation process. The research suggests that the current standing operating procedures be amended to include the critical aspects of child rape investigation such as processing of the crime scene, the search for biological evidence as well as the packaging and preservation of biological evidence.
Police Practice
M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation)

Increasing tourism numbers in third world countries affect their economies and certain aspects of their society positively; however, there are concomitant negative effects that expose the dark side of the tourism industry. One of these is the escalating commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC), particularly child prostitution (CP) in the context of tourism, a phenomenon known as child sex tourism (CST). Although tourism plays an important role in creating the perfect storm of poverty-stricken children colliding with wealthy tourists, it is not solely responsible for this phenomenon. Internationally and nationally, the lacuna of knowledge on CST in particular hampers an informed response by way of resource allocation and coordinated service delivery to both victims and perpetrators. Utilising a qualitative research approach, and the collective case study and phenomenological research designs complemented by an explorative, descriptive and contextual strategy of inquiry, the researcher explored the status of the knowledge of and response to the CSEC through the lens of closely associated role players, who were purposively selected for inclusion in the study. These were adult survivors who were as children engaged in sex work and victims of child sex tourism, social workers and non-social workers involved in rendering child welfare and protection services, members of the Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and representatives of the hospitality and tourism industry. Data was collected via individual in-depth semi-structured interviews, telephone interviews, and email-communication and thematically analysed. The researcher found that a range of microsystem level factors, such as poverty and family dysfunction, pushed children to the street, and as a means to survive engage in sex work, enabling tourists (i.e. local - out of towners) and foreigners, mainly men from varied sexual orientation) to commercially sexually exploit both boys and girls, from as young as nine years of age, and of different race groups, which leave them with physical and psychological scars. The following main findings surfaced: The social workers, in comparison to the non-social workers, who have a primary responsibility to provide child welfare and protection services were ill-informed in terms of identifying CST as phenomenon, untrained and/or slow to respond appropriately with interventions directed to the victims and perpetrators of CSEC. The service provider groups, as microsystems interfacing on a mesosystem, were fraught with perceptions that the social workers and the SAPS were being inadequate. Furthermore a lack of cooperation, collaboration and communication between the service provider groups to respond to CSEC existed. The hospitality and tourism industry service representatives were also ill-informed about the phenomena of CP and CST with a response that at best can be labelled as fluctuating between an indirect response to that of turning a blind-eye. From the findings, recommendations for social work practice, education and training and recommendations specific for the other closely associated role players in responding to the CSEC were forwarded.
Social Work
D.Phil. (Social Work)

Text in Afrikaans
The researchers' own interaction with the community caused her to recognize that the safety of pre-schoolers and toddlers in high risk areas are being jeopardised because sexual education is not applied soon enough. The aim of this research study was to determine the needs of role-players in the high risk area in terms of community education regarding the safety of pre-schoolers. A quantitative approach was followed, which focussed on applied research and the exploratory and descriptive objectives of the research in order to facilitate a better understanding of the research phenomenon and to understand the specifics of the situation. The Randomised Cross-sectional Survey design was implemented. The analysed findings were presented graphically and interpreted in order to reach conclusions and present the recommendations of the study. The general conclusion based upon the empirical findings of the study is that there is a great need for community education regarding the safety of pre-schoolers in the high-risk area, Danville.
Social Work
M. Diac. (Play Therapy)

This research was initiated, based on the recommendations of Groenewald (2006:126-127), in the Evaluation of Programmes of Shelters for Victims of Abuse in Gauteng Province, to develop a shelter service delivery model. The research is exploratory in nature and outlines the literature review, methodologies, tested shelter model and findings based on the experiences of stakeholders. These stakeholders are responsible for the registration and management of shelters for victims of abuse in South Africa. They include nine Provincial Victim Empowerment Programme Co-ordinators and thirty-two shelter managers. The main objectives for shelter managers and Government Departments, such as Social Development, are to provide care, support and protection. The aim is also to empower those who were caught up in relationships, fraught with gender-based violence, as well as to break the cycle of violence. This is presented in the guidelines for a shelter service delivery model for victims of abuse. The shelter model focuses on three phases: o Intake procedures o Programmes and services o Exit strategy These three phases address both psycho-social issues and the self care of service providers. The main purpose of the shelter model is to provide social service providers with a structural format for intervention with victims of abuse and their significant others. The outcome, for most of them, should be to come to terms with themselves and create a personal vision for the future without abuse or, alternatively, to take a firm stand against such actions. The model is based on a person-centered approach in order to assist victims of violence, within a development model, to attain effective living. Other findings of the research are, among others, that there is neither legislation, nor registration procedures for shelters for victims of abuse in place, except for Non-Profit Organisations, which is voluntary. It is recommended that Government should consider the amendment of the Domestic Violence Act, 116 of 1998. These amendments should include accreditation of service providers, registration requirements, norms, standards and uniform funding criteria.
Social Work
D. Phil. (Social Work)

This thesis focuses on the development of Gestalt guidelines for alternative caregivers to enhance attachment with the traumatised child. The researcher made use of the intervention research process, consisting of six phases. For the purpose of this study of limited scope, the intervention research process was completed up to step one of the fourth phase. The target group in this study was alternative caregivers of traumatised children where attachment difficulties existed. `Alternative caregivers' refers to people who provide care to these children, either on a voluntary basis or professionally. Focus groups, field notes and observation were used as data collection method, and Creswell's spiral was used to analyse data. Not all aspects regarding attachment were covered in this study and only relevant Gestalt principles were discussed. Gestalt guidelines with an observational system were finally developed. The views of the respondents, those of experts and a literature review were incorporated into the guidelines, as well as some functional elements of existing treatments.
Practical Theology
M. Diac. (Play Therapy)